Guernsey Police Foresee Resourcing Challenges for New Domestic Abuse Powers

Outgoing police chief Ruari Hardy stated that adequate police resourcing in Guernsey would present a “challenge,” requiring additional personnel (“boots on the ground”) to effectively implement (“best use”) new police authorities concerning domestic abuse. The States unanimously approved new legislation addressing domestic abuse, incorporating provisions such as pre-charge bail, domestic abuse protection notices (DAPNs), and domestic abuse protection orders (DAPO). However, the police force will not receive any immediate additional resources to manage the increased powers and workload. Deputy Sue Aldwell, who leads on domestic abuse for the States, indicated that the responsibility for how resources are “allocate[d]” would rest with the incoming police chief. This new legislation will empower police to restrict the movement of perpetrators, thereby protecting victims. Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPNs) serve to impose immediate restrictions on perpetrators when senior officers possess “reasonable grounds” to conclude that an individual has committed abuse against another. A Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) is sought via the courts, imposing specific restrictions and requirements on the perpetrator to shield victims from subsequent abuse. Pre-charge bail will enable police to enforce conditions during their investigations. The absence of such powers was previously brought to light in an internal police email, which was subsequently published online. This email critiqued the training provided to officers regarding charging for domestic abuse offenses and asserted that the organization was “setting custody sergeants up to fail.” Nevertheless, Deputy Aldwell affirmed that the new legislation would resolve these issues. She stated: “This has been worked on with the courts, it’s been worked through with the police and it’s been worked through with [charity] Safer to make sure all of those things that need to be in place are in place.” She added: “We are making sure they will have all that they [the resourcing] need to take this forward.” Deputy John Gollop also expressed concern regarding housing, suggesting the legislation might be “resource hungry” and that “accommodation is an issue.” He commented: “I was saddened to hear that a charity which helped many people with alcohol abuse, which has a property at the top of the Grange in Town, may be obliged to close due to lack of funds.” He further suggested: “I would like another charity or maybe the States to lease or purchase that property as an opportunity maybe to house people who need emergency housing.” Naomi Woods, the service lead at the domestic abuse charity Safer, affirmed that accommodation would “continue” to pose a problem. She stated: “Our refuge is full more often than it’s not, and that is past the point of when someone is in crisis and needs refuge from a risk point of view.” She elaborated: “We have people that have to remain because there is no other accommodation for them to move on to. “It will be an issue until there is more housing available. Unfortunately, it is not something that can be plucked out the air.” The recently passed domestic abuse legislation will become effective upon receiving Royal Assent.